Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, has declared his intention to pursue legal action against an online news outlet that published a report quoting him to have said he would reveal to the world how President Bola Tinubu became president.
Bello, in a statement made on Monday by his Director of Media, Ohiare Michael, condemned the ‘misleading and senseless’ publication.
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a not only mischievous but senseless report published by a mushroom blog called Daily Excessive, which attributed fake quotes against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to our principal, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
“Ordinarily, we would not have even bothered to give this any attention, because no informed Nigerian would take such a ridiculous story, written by a sick mind, seriously, especially since court records are public documents.
“This clarification is, however, necessary for the record and for the benefit of social media users who circulate fake news without fact-checking the details.”
He characterised the report as part of a broader, irresponsible political strategy aimed at undermining the relationship between President Tinubu and himself.
“The Media Office of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, hereby states that the report in circulation by one Daily Excessive blog, which quoted the former governor to have said that he would reveal to the world how President Tinubu became President is not only misleading but also a confirmation of how unintelligent some unrelenting detractors of the former governor are.
“Every Nigerian following court proceedings, since the former governor submitted himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, knows that trial has not commenced in any of the cases. Former Governor Bello has only taken his plea at both courts.
“The court is an open place where journalists and other stakeholders monitor proceedings. This is the reason no informed Nigerian would even consider opening this sick report by an ‘Excessive fake news purveyor’ called Daily Excessive. But a ‘conquered’ mind is a sick mind, so we understand the plight of these mischief makers,” the statement added.
Bello further emphasised his unwavering support for Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress party, dismissing the claims as a laughable attempt to damage his reputation.
